‘Is it a fast ship? My nephew and I are in a hurry.’

‘Yes, yes. Everyone is in a hurry nowadays. I will speak to my cousin and arrange your passage.’ He gave her a grin. ‘For a modest handling fee, of course.’

‘Of course.’ She raised an eyebrow. ‘Let me guess. The price you get for the ponies, minus your handling fee, will just about cover the cost of the trip?’

‘You are as astute as you are beautiful.’

‘I’m also a woman you would not want to get on the wrong side of, Honest Almer.’

The big man gave her a respectful nod. ‘Lady, we have people like you in my country, who learn the Art. They are always to be respected for their skills and powers. Believe me, I know this well.’ Quick as a flash, his face split into a huge grin. ‘Now, for that inn with the bath and comfortable beds. It just so happens it is run by a friend of mine. Come.’

14

The inn was everything Almer had said it would be: safe and comfortable. It was busy enough that even the sight of the mysterious beauty accompanied by a boy wearing a sword at his hip only drew a few cursory glances.

They ordered food and ate it sitting next to a large fire. The exhaustion of their journey here had caught up with them, and they exchanged no more than a dozen words with each other as they spooned the rich lamb stew into their mouths.

Shortly after, bellies full, they went up to their rooms to sleep.

Lann awoke in the early hours. The candle beside his bed had sputtered out and the air was still filled with the cloying smell of waxy smoke. The room was in total darkness, but it was not this that made him anxious; he’d spent long enough in the dark not to fear it. What was worrying him was the black blade and its insistent voice inside his head. Reaching out to the bedside table he took up the weapon.

That ancient voice whispered a single word over and over.

Nir-akuu. Monsters.

Lann concentrated, allowing his thoughts to merge with the blade, as he had when he’d set off into the woods after Fleya. Something was out there in Muslvik, but it was not nearby and he sensed that it wasn’t after them. That, however, was of no consequence to the blade. It had been fashioned by the ancient gods for one purpose and one purpose only, and he felt its primal urge to search the thing out and destroy it.

Nir-akuu.